Blog.

Learn the difference between good debt and bad debt, how to manage both wisely, and when to seek expert advice for a stronger financial future.

Learn the difference between good debt and bad debt, how to manage both wisely, and when to seek expert advice for a stronger financial future.

Explore the pros and cons of paying off your mortgage early. Learn when it makes the most sense and when it can be smarter to invest your money elsewhere.

Learn the difference between good debt and bad debt, how to manage both wisely, and when to seek expert advice for a stronger financial future.

Learn the difference between good debt and bad debt, how to manage both wisely, and when to seek expert advice for a stronger financial future.

Learn the difference between good debt and bad debt, how to manage both wisely, and when to seek expert advice for a stronger financial future.

Learn the basics of tax-free savings and tax-efficient investments in the UK. Discover ISAs, pensions and smart tips to grow your wealth and save more tax.

Learn how to create a robust financial plan for new parents from budgeting for baby essentials to insurance, savings, and maternity pay.

Explore the pros and cons of paying off your mortgage early. Learn when it makes the most sense and when it can be smarter to invest your money elsewhere.

Getting divorced, losing a loved one, or losing your job can all have a big impact on your finances. Find out how to regain your financial stability.

Your investments are under constant pressure from forces outside your control. Find out the potential impact of inflation and what you can do to combat it.

Discover smart investment strategies for high net worth individuals in the UK – from diversification to tax efficiency and intergenerational planning.

Start planning for retirement in your 30s to secure financial freedom. Learn smart saving strategies, investment tips, and expert financial planning advice.

In a world of uncertainty, emergency resources can help you through a crisis. Find out how to grow and maintain your emergency fund with our top tips!

In this article, we’ll offer some insight into tax planning strategies you can utilise.

Securing your future might feel daunting when you're self-employed. Without an employer-backed pension plan, you're the one in charge of your retirement savings. But with the right approach, you can take control and build a secure, stress-free future. It’s easier than you think — all it takes is the right planning and guidance.

This blog post provides some suggestions as to how to plan for unexpected expenses without having too much of an impact on your longer-term financial goals.

In this article, we’ll break down different types of pensions in the UK, explain how they work, and give you an idea of how much to save.

Some deeper insight from the Hansford Bell team about the recent Autumn Budget

Hansford Bell are providing the headlines of the Autumn Budget announcement.

Planning for the end is never easy, but sometimes it can help to look on the positive side of things.

In the wake of a new government, the future of personal finance is uncertain. The Prime Minister warns that “things will get worse before they get better”, but that doesn’t mean you have to struggle.

Have you ever thought about becoming a financial advisor? This guide will help you understand the steps, qualifications, and main duties involved.

In today's challenging housing market, stepping onto the property ladder is increasingly difficult for young people.

Planning for retirement? Understand the state pension and the triple lock. Hansford Bell offers expert advice to secure your financial future.

Preparing for your child’s financial future can start today. Find out different strategies and methods you can use to support your children as they grow.

Simplify your investment journey with Hansford Bell's beginner's guide. Get clear, independent advice on bonds, ISAs, trusts, and more.

Life insurance does more than cover funeral costs. It helps your family keep their lifestyle and meet future money needs without your income.

Managing money well is key to providing your loved ones a stable and happy life. This guide will introduce you to family financial planning and show how it can help new parents.

Meet our team. Generational wealth might sound like it's only for the very rich. But more and more families find it possible when planning well and thinking ahead. This article looks at ...

In this blog we’ll outline the six steps to take for a better financial plan to help minimise any financial anxiety you might be having.

Later life lending is usually for people who own a home and are older than 55. There are two main kinds of later-life lending: lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans.

Learn the ideal savings at every age, how lifestyle and career impact your ability to save, and tips for growing your funds with Hansford Bell's expert advice.

When choosing to build an investment portfolio, strategy is a key consideration to be made, as your choice of investment approach can have a huge impact on the long and short-term success or failure of your investments

While some may consider estate planning as a last priority and an aspect of their finances that they have time to sort at a later date, the truth is that it’s never too early to make a plan of action regarding your assets.

In this article, we will identify what each of the pension changes are and explain why each change matters to you so you can make the most of this new opportunity.

In this blog from Hansford Bell, we discuss why the gender pension gap exists, going on to offer some recommendations for women regarding steps that can be taken to mitigate the impact of this on their financial situation

Planning for retirement is essential for your future, especially if you’re in the UK. There are many ways to save, but pensions and Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) are two of the top choices. Let’s look at what makes pensions and ISAs valuable and determine which could be better.

Meet our team. Lifetime mortgages are available to persons aged 55 and over. They release equity from your home, creating a loan against the value of your property that grants you tax-free money ...

Creating an investment portfolio can mean putting your money towards a number of sources with varying levels of risk and return. Find out how bonds can help you diversify.

In this article from the team here at Hansford Bell, we’ll explain what annuity and income drawdown are, their differences, rates, and determine which is the best option for retirement.

Meet our team. Lifetime mortgages are available to persons aged 55 and over. They release equity from your home, creating a loan against the value of your property that grants you tax-free money ...

Meet our team. A retirement interest only (RIO) mortgage is available to persons over 55, retirees, and people planning their retirement. It allows homeowners to open up a portion of the equity in ...

The time leading up to the end of the tax year is a perfect time to look at your tax profile and make sure you’ve got everything ready, so you go into the next year worry free.

In this blog, we’ll explore five effective tips and tricks to help you reduce inheritance tax, ensuring that your loved ones receive more of what you’ve worked so hard to build.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the crucial money matters to consider before you go, working out where to move, and necessary expenses to think about.

Whether you've had a mortgage before or considering a new one, you may have come across the term ‘negative equity.’ Find out more about what it is, what means for your finances and how you can avoid negative equity.

Whether you've had a mortgage before or considering a new one, you may have come across the term ‘negative equity.’ Find out more about what it is, what means for your finances and how you can avoid negative equity.

As the economic landscape becomes uncertain, it's crucial to adopt smart financial strategies to protect your money and safeguard your future. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide of top tips to effectively manage your finances

Inheritance, no matter how sizeable it is, can be extremely important for anyone’s financial situation.

Meet our team. Health problems can have an immense impact on our feeling of security and stability, with some conditions or health issues such as a critical illness causing huge distress and disrupting ...

Meet our team. Life Cover, more commonly known as Life Insurance is a type of insurance policy that ensures financial support for your loved ones if you die and are suddenly no longer ...

Meet our team. Income protection plans are a type of insurance policy that guarantee financial cover during periods of no income. There are various reasons why you might need income protection, for example, ...

Retiring as a self-employed worker can be a daunting task, especially if you do not have a retirement plan in place.

If the mere mention of ‘capital gains tax’ makes you want to crawl into a hole and hibernate until tax season is over, fear not! As Independent Financial Advisors, we’ve created this ultimate guide to help you navigate the murky waters of Capital Gains Tax with ease and confidence.

Meet our team. An ISA, or Individual Savings Account, is a tax-efficient savings or investment account available to UK residents. It’s a smart and tax-efficient way to save for your future since ...

Retiring early is a dream for many of us, but let’s be honest, it can sometimes feel like an unattainable goal. But it doesn't have to be.

What is an interest rate? What is a base rate? In this article from Hansford Bell we will explore how the recent rate rises can impact your investments.

Working out the best way to pass on your estate is critical to any effective financial life plan. Not only does estate planning maximise the wealth you can pass on, but it also helps to avoid conflict, protect your best interests, and provide the peace of mind you need to live life worry free.

Where do you want to go, and how will you get there? These are the questions you need to ask when setting your financial goals. At the heart of financial life planning are the actions that will bring your personal ambitions to fruition. When you start taking a more targeted approach to your money, a world of potential opens up.

We can’t control everything that happens in our lives, but we can prepare ourselves for future setbacks. It’s not about being negative; it’s reinforcing optimism for tomorrow with a solid financial plan.

Inheritance tax (IHT) is a tax levied at any estate over a certain amount when the owner passes away. However, there are a few things you can do to minimise the charges. With proper planning, you can preserve the maximum wealth possible to pass on to your loved ones.

No one wants to think about dying unexpectedly, but preparing for the worst means you can enjoy the present without stressing about the future. What would your death mean for your loved ones financially? Life insurance policies offer the invaluable reassurance that they will still be provided for when you’re not there.

Financial planning is a familiar concept to many of us, but what about financial life planning? You might assume it’s the same thing, but actually, this term refers to a distinct approach within the financial services sector.

Over time, your pension pot may prove less flexible than you anticipated. Maybe care costs have taken a toll or maybe you want to help out your children with their house deposits. Lifetime mortgages enable older people to access extra tax free cash without giving up their home. Whatever you need the money for, it’s important to understand all the implications before you get started.

There are many financial challenges to navigate in later life, from managing retirement income to planning how your estate will be passed on. However, don’t forget that these are also your golden years, and should be enjoyed to the fullest extent. With careful planning, you can manage your specific responsibilities and circumstances and achieve financial and personal fulfilment.

Every year, you’ll receive a pension statement detailing the progress of your savings so far. It’s easy to stow this document away and forget about it, but actually, your pension statement contains useful information that should inform your financial planning.

Deciding when to retire is an important choice that should not be taken lightly. Though age is often seen as a determining factor, it’s worth considering other things too. From financial health to career satisfaction to family commitments, there are some key lifestyle signs to look out for that may suggest the time has come.

For many homeowners, paying off the mortgage is a key financial goal. If you have the savings to do so, overpaying a mortgage can offer numerous benefits, but there are things to consider. Paying off your mortgage is not the only option, and some might prefer to grow their wealth through targeted investments.

There are many moments in life when it’s worth getting some financial advice. Whether you’re going through a life transition or just want to take prudent action to protect your future, an independent financial advisor can guide you and help formulate a robust financial plan.

A good retirement plan should ensure you can live comfortably until the end of your life. However, if unforeseen events take a toll on your finances, or you need to make an unplanned-for purchase, you could find that your pension pot is no longer big enough. That’s where equity release comes in.

If you think retirement is on the horizon, it’s a good idea to start getting your finances in order. Leaving things too late can mean there’s not enough time to adjust your plan and achieve the lifestyle you want. A little financial preparation can mean the difference between a later life that works for you, and a later life that restricts your options.

The end of life isn’t something anyone wants to spend much time thinking about, but a lack of preparation can leave your loved ones with a hefty Inheritance Tax bill. Inheritance Tax, intended to redistribute the wealth of the super rich, has become something more and more of us have to deal with as a result of inflation and rising property prices. So, it’s important to get your head around the technicalities before it’s too late!

When it’s time to retire, we all want to make sure that we’ve got the right pension provision in place to fund our chosen lifestyle. But with so many different schemes out there, it can be tricky to figure out what’s right for you. Pension drawdown is a way of keeping your pension invested, whilst still accessing your money. That means your wealth will continue to grow whilst you go ahead and enjoy those golden years.

There have been a lot of changes at Hansford Bell lately. We’re a firm of Chartered Financial Planners based in Tavistock. For over 20 years, we’ve been shaking up the industry with our refreshing approach to financial planning, but following a management buyout, it was time for a new start.

In a 2019 survey*, only 15.1% of respondents said they felt confident planning their retirement goals and choosing where to invest their money. You wouldn’t set off on a long journey without knowing the way, and the same is true when it comes to your finances.

When the day came to find a new home for their investment portfolio, this local retired couple knew Hansford Bell were the right choice.

We all want to grow our wealth sustainably and with minimal risk, but these days other factors are having a significant impact on investment decisions too.

The future of Hansford Bell

No work, a regular income, plenty of time to do the things you want – sounds great, doesn’t it? Taking steps to engineer your target lifestyle now can make all the difference when it comes to your financial independence in later life.

When it comes to managing your money, choosing the right financial service is key. Knowing your financial planner from your financial advisor will help you decide what qualities to look for and what to expect from the process.

Mortgages and Covid-19 - more of your questions answered

Covid-19 and Investing

Your Mortgage Question's Answered